Kerry Bashes Bush on Environment and Outlines Eco-Plan

Senator and presidential contender John Kerry (D-Mass.) came out swinging on the environment yesterday, urging the public to rise up against President Bush’s policies on water, land, air, and energy. “George Bush is the kind of politician who would cut down a tree and then climb on the stump that remains and give a speech about conservation,” Kerry said. Speaking at the University of New Hampshire, he outlined a six-point environmental plan that includes reducing reliance on foreign oil, playing a leadership role in international climate change negotiations, cleaning up air and water, protecting public lands, and creating “clean and green communities” by remediating toxic sites and working to control sprawl. Kerry also tried to distinguish his environmental record from those of other Democratic candidates, saying that he’s been focusing on environmental protection for 35 years, not merely during the present campaign.